Rebecca’s Dream Career in Games Development

The Best Thing About Being a Games Programmer

The best thing about Games Programming and Development is the daily challenge in a field I adore, and the excitement I still get, three years on, to get up to go to work in the morning.

There is nothing cooler than making video games! It's one of the few industries that inspire creativity and imagination daily, even in a logic heavy role such as programming.

Games That I Have Worked On

Most recently I've been working on Hell Let Loose: Vietnam from the start of its development cycle. I've mainly been implementing player locomotion features and working closely with the animation and tech art teams to make things even better than the first game! We're yet to release the game, but watch this space - exciting times!

A Typical Day

A typical day at Expression Games varies depending on how you like to work! We're a fully remote and flexible studio. Typically, I start early and finish early, which is super healthy for my work life balance, and even though it is remote, I have never felt more connected to a group of people. We start off with a stand-up where we talk about the work we did the previous day and what we will be working on and then various meetings. My favourite has got to be the weekly playtests. Seeing how far the game is progressing on a week-by-week basis is very rewarding! I haven't had to learn any new programming language as we work in Unreal Engine 5 with C++ which many studios are adopting now.  This was one of my favourite courses in the Games Development degree, so I was set up very nicely! I've also been picking up LUA in my spare time as it's always fun to keep learning.

Getting Set for Your Career

The best way to stand out is just to make games and enjoy what you do! Seeing a portfolio filled with exciting projects in different languages and engines, and showing a passion to develop and get better always grabs a potential employer’s attention. You don't have to be the best, you just have to show you have the motivation to learn and show up!

Give it 110%. Finish the degree as well as you can and learn how to communicate fully, whether it is ideas, explanations, or small talk to make connections. These two things can take you anywhere!

Team Working

I gained plenty of experience while at the University of Chester.  The group projects themselves are a smaller version of what working in video games is daily.  It is worth embracing and learning how to communicate to different members of the team whether that be other programmers or animators, artists, or developers. It is really important and luckily the Games Development Degree gives you ample opportunity to do this!

Amazing Times at Chester

I loved the facilities at Chester, and I am still to this day so insanely jealous of the Games Development PC room set-up! I also loved how small the classes were, compared to the 100 plus lectures my friends were going to. It felt like I always had so much access for one-to-one support. As for my tutors, I genuinely don't think there could have been anyone better.  Everyone is so knowledgeable in their field and really wants to see you thrive.  Even now after being employed for nearly three years, they are still available to ask for any advice on anything and always excited to see where you are!

The City of Chester for me was beautiful and living and learning there has given me so many amazing memories.  The friends I made along the way will be lifelong. I couldn't imagine going to another university!

Interested in Games Development?

If you are interested in Games Development or Games Design here at Chester you can come and chat to us to find out all about the course, view our games lab and get a feel for study at Chester.  Our Open Days  are the perfect chance to find out more.